Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 8: Annulling the Engagement

The Crown Prince’s horse took a step toward them.

Qi Yan loosened his hold on the person in his arms. The warmth that had surrounded Wei Zhen abruptly vanished. The weight on the saddle lightened as the young man behind her dismounted.

“Your Highness.” Qi Yan greeted the Crown Prince with a calm bow.

Jing Heng returned to his senses and smiled gently. “You’ve worked hard. I imagine you haven’t rested all night. It is thanks to you that A-Zhen has returned safely.”

He guided his horse to Wei Zhen’s side. Seeing her pale face, he called for a guard to hold an umbrella over her. His voice was soft, “The guards searched for you the entire night. I was anxious and worried the whole time. Now that you are safe, were you frightened?”

Wei Zhen’s gaze followed that long, slender hand to his face. She saw the deep concern in Jing Heng’s eyes. Despite the heavy rain, his robes remained dry—he must have only recently left his chambers. The jade ornaments at his waist were still perfectly arranged, just as noble and dignified as ever.

He hadn’t even ventured deep into the forest, merely having his guards conduct a cursory search along the hunting grounds.

“I am fine, thank you for Your Highness’s concern.”

Her indifferent tone… Jing Heng’s brows furrowed slightly. Amidst the pouring rain, the young lady’s beauty was striking, but her gaze was cold as ice, sharp as a blade.

His eyes drifted downward and caught sight of the cloth wrapped around her left leg. The fabric was clearly torn from a man’s clothing.

An inexplicable emotion spread within him. Jing Heng forced a smile once more. “I’ll escort you back.”

He removed his cloak, intending to drape it over her shoulders, but she turned aside, avoiding it. For a moment, his hands hung awkwardly in the air.

Wei Zhen said nothing, merely bowing. “No need to trouble Your Highness. I can return on my own.”

As the horse carried her away, the smile on Jing Heng’s face faded. He turned to watch her departing figure.

The once affectionate gaze of the young girl was now filled with distance and rejection.

How had her attitude changed so drastically in a single night?

What exactly had happened between her and Qi Yan in the mountains?

Jing Heng’s brows slowly furrowed like a gathering storm.

The torrential rain raged on. News of the eldest Miss Wei spending the night outside and the young General Qi braving the rain to search for her, returning together on a single horse, quickly spread throughout the palace.

Wei Zhen rode straight back to her residence.

Maidservant Tian had been waiting outside the Wei family’s courtyard for a long time. The moment she saw Wei Zhen’s thin figure appear, she rushed forward from the corridor. In her haste, she nearly tripped over a stone, but Wei Zhen caught her just in time.

“Maidservant, be careful.”

The moment she saw Wei Zhen, the elderly woman’s composure broke.

Madam Wei had passed away early, leaving only this loyal servant by her daughter’s side. Having cared for Wei Zhen since childhood, Maidservant Tian was like a mother to her.

“Come inside quickly.” Wei Zhen took her hand and looked around. “Where is my younger brother?”

“He is resting in his quarters. Last night, the young master also went out to search for you. He did not sleep a wink. He was completely exhausted and was finally persuaded by the servants to rest for a while.”

Hearing the hoarse yet gentle voice of the Maidservant, Wei Zhen felt as if a soft warmth wrapped around her heart.

The two walked into the inner courtyard, and Maidservant Tian recounted everything that had happened in her absence.

“The Sixth Prince is dead. He was dragged off by a tiger in the mountains. By the time the guards caught up, most of his body had already been devoured, and the sight was terrifying. I heard that he was still alive when they pulled him from the tiger’s jaws. He bled out, watching himself die, bit by bit.”

Such a gruesome death made even Wei Zhen’s heart tremble.

Had she not, in a moment of desperation, shot an arrow at Wei Zhang, she might have been the one to end up as the tiger’s meal.

“And what of Wei Zhang?” Wei Zhen asked.

Passing by a sleeping chamber, Maidservant Tian lowered her voice. “That one managed to survive, but the tiger tore off his entire arm. He’s lying in bed now, and I fear he will be half a cripple for the rest of his life.”

Wei Zhen found it rather unfortunate that he had managed to survive at all.

“Wei Zhen—” A voice suddenly called out from behind her.

Wei Zhen turned and saw a man emerging from the corridor.

A middle-aged man, over forty years old, clad in dark robes, with a gaunt face and a neatly kept beard. His gaze was cold as he looked at her.

“Father,” Wei Zhen greeted.

Wei Zhao did not respond. He strode toward her from the courtyard gate. “Where were you last night?”

Wei Zhen didn’t understand the meaning behind his question. The next moment, Wei Zhao raised his hand, swinging it toward her.

A crisp slap echoed, but the expected pain never came.

She opened her eyes and saw Maidservant Tian shielding her. The bright red imprint of a hand marred the elderly woman’s cheek.

Wei Zhen felt as though an invisible hand had struck her as well. She turned to face the man before her. “What does Father mean by this?”

“You disgrace! If you hadn’t recklessly entered the forest last night, your brother wouldn’t have followed you, and he wouldn’t be in this state now. How do you intend to compensate him?”

Wei Zhen understood now. Wei Zhang must have regained consciousness and placed all the blame on her—without mentioning what he had tried to do to her.

She said, “Father blames me for bringing Wei Zhang into the forest, but could I possibly control his actions? And before accusing me, have you considered that I too barely escaped death? I ran through the night, only narrowly escaping the tiger’s jaws. If I hadn’t been fortunate, would Father even see me standing here now?”

Her words struck a chord. The man hesitated briefly, then quickly masked it with the cold indifference she despised. “But you are standing here just fine, aren’t you? Your brother, on the other hand, is suffering a fate worse than death!”

Wei Zhen smiled faintly. “And what does his survival have to do with me?”

Even in a confrontation, her expression remained composed, her voice gentle.

The truth was, Wei Zhao’s words did not stir the slightest ripple in her heart.

To him, only Wei Zhang and his sister were true family. She and Wei Ling were merely burdens left behind by his deceased wife.

Fortunately, they had never considered him their father either.

With no expectations, there was no disappointment.

Wei Zhen turned to leave, but his voice called out again. “Stop! How dare you defy me? I also heard that Qi Yan was the one who escorted you out of the forest today. You spent an entire night alone with him before returning. Is that true?”

In this era of social openness, such matters were not considered scandalous. Wei Zhen replied, “He saved me. What is wrong with that?”

“But so many people saw you riding together. You were in each other’s arms, behaving intimately—even in front of the Crown Prince. You are set to marry him soon. What do you mean by this?”

Wei Zhen had no idea how the rumors had twisted the truth. She and Qi Yan had taken great care to maintain propriety.

Wei Zhao sneered. “The Crown Prince may not say anything now, but who’s to say he doesn’t hold this against you? If this incident displeases him or the Queen, do you expect the Wei family to suffer the consequences with you?”

“Your mother says the Queen is strict. If she hears of this, she won’t let it slide easily. You should visit her soon and explain yourself. Perhaps then, this matter will pass.”

The “mother” he referred to was Wei Zhen’s stepmother in name only.

Wei Zhao’s concern was not for her well-being—he merely feared her position as Crown Princess might be at risk.

But why should she care about the Crown Prince or the Queen?

She had already decided to annul the engagement.

From now on, the capital and everything in it would have nothing to do with her.

“This is my marriage. Even if there is an issue, it is not for Father to interfere.”

With that, Wei Zhen turned and walked toward her chambers. Wei Zhao was left speechless, watching as her figure stretched long under the lantern light, until she disappeared from view.

**
A stormy night, Wei Zhang’s quarters.

The Crown Prince sat alone at the desk, the candlelight dim and flickering. Heavy shadows cast over him, almost swallowing his figure whole. Before long, a maidservant from the inner chambers brought news that Wei Zhang had awakened.

The Crown Prince glanced at the unfinished chess game before him, then tossed aside the chess piece between his fingers and rose to his feet, heading inside.

His footsteps echoed loudly against the polished brick floor. The man lying on the bed heard the movement and turned his head, his lips trembling as he murmured, “Your… Your Highness…”

Jing Heng stood tall beside the bed, looking down at Wei Zhang, who was frail as a dying candle. The man struggled to sit up, revealing his mutilated right shoulder. The thick scent of blood filled the air, causing Jing Heng to frown slightly.

Wei Zhang attempted to clasp his hands in salute, but realizing his right arm was gone, his face turned pale. “I am deeply grateful for Your Highness’s visit today.”

“There is no need for gratitude,” Jing Heng said coolly. “Wei Zhang, this time, even I cannot save you.”

“Your Highness!”

“I warned you before—do not act recklessly. Yet you repeatedly ignored my words and acted without considering the consequences. Now that Jing Ke is dead, Father is furious, and there must be an explanation. You know that those who kill must pay with their lives.”

As these words fell, Wei Zhang’s eyes widened in horror, the muscles in his cheeks twitching uncontrollably.

“Your Highness, I am already as good as dead! Yesterday, it was actually Jing Ke who forced my hand. I beg Your Highness to seek justice for me!”

“The King will not believe that.”

Jing Heng placed a hand lightly on Wei Zhang’s shoulder. “If you go and plead guilty yourself, there may still be a way to survive. But if no one takes responsibility for this matter, in Father’s fury, you won’t even be left with an intact corpse. He already knows you were present that day. I will plead for mercy on your behalf, framing it as a dereliction of duty. In that case, the punishment will be exile—three hundred miles at most.”

Wei Zhang lay prostrate on the bed, his eyes bloodshot and brimming with tears.

“Furthermore, you must say no more about this matter—especially regarding Wei Zhen.”

Jing Heng needed the Wei family. If Wei Zhen were implicated and punished as well, it would create a rift between the royal family and the Weis. In that case, how could Wei Ling still be of use to him?

Jing Heng continued, “In truth, with Jing Ke dead, you’ve actually helped me eliminate a major obstacle. Now, Father has only me left as his son. You are merely suffering a temporary injustice. When Father’s time comes, and I ascend the throne, I will summon you back to the capital. How about that?”

Jing Heng knew that Wei Zhang was conflicted and that it would not be easy for him to accept.

Wei Zhang’s eyes were filled with panic. He lifted his head, his teeth chattering, but he could not bring himself to utter the word “yes.”

Jing Heng sighed. “We grew up together. We are as close as brothers. After you leave, I will take good care of your sister and ensure she suffers no mistreatment. When I become King of Chu, I will remember the contributions you and your sister have made.”

Tears slid from Wei Zhang’s eyes, landing on the back of his hand. His trembling lips finally forced out a single word: “Yes.”

Jing Heng had said all he needed to say. “Then, I shall not disturb your rest any longer.”

Wei Zhang, with tears in his eyes, knelt on the bed to offer his gratitude.

As Jing Heng stepped out of the hall, the great doors closed behind him.

A eunuch at his side spoke, “Your Highness, were your words just now sincere?”

Sincere? Jing Heng let out a faint chuckle.

Exile was fraught with peril. Bandits and raiders roamed the roads—how could Wei Zhang possibly survive?

Wei Zhang had done many unsavory things for him over the years.

If he had even half the usefulness of Wei Zhen and Wei Ling, Jing Heng would have saved him without hesitation.

The rain poured ceaselessly, and Jing Heng’s figure disappeared into the darkness, blending seamlessly with the night.

The next morning, a commotion erupted outside the Wei family’s residence.

Soldiers arrived by royal decree to seize Wei Zhang, dragging him out of his chambers. Wei Zhao and Madam Song rushed after them, their cries of anguish echoing through the courtyard.

With Jing Ke dead, Wei Zhang, who had been present that day, was bound to be held accountable. Wei Zhen’s concern was whether this matter would extend to her as well.

The next two days passed in eerie silence.

She remained behind closed doors, while Wei Zhao and Madam Song made multiple attempts to see her, knocking on her door repeatedly, hoping she would come out and intercede on Wei Zhang’s behalf. They pleaded that, since her mother had once done a great favor for the King of Chu, she could use this to seek leniency for Wei Zhang.

Wei Zhen, however, refused, citing illness.

That afternoon, news came from the front courtyard: the King of Chu, in consideration of the Wei family’s past service, had spared Wei Zhang from execution. Instead, he was sentenced to exile—three hundred miles away, to the borderlands of Wu and Yue.

When Maidservant Tian relayed the decree to her, Wei Zhen felt something was amiss. If the King of Chu were truly holding someone accountable, it was impossible that she would not be implicated. Yet from beginning to end, she had not been summoned even once.

Who could have silenced Wei Zhang so thoroughly?

A refined face surfaced in Wei Zhen’s mind.

Over the past two days, she had also been considering how to broach the subject of breaking off her engagement with the Crown Prince. Though she had made up her mind, dissolving this betrothal would not be so simple.

As she pondered, a maidservant entered from outside and announced, “My lady, the Crown Prince has arrived.”